Alerted by a news release from the: Westboro Baptist Church: announcing plans to protest the funeral of an Army Ranger, a crowd of thousands turned out Sunday to honor the young man who died in an attack in Afghanistan earlier this month.

Mourners showed up to support the family of Pfc.Cody James Patterson: at the Oregon State University Campus in Corvallis, Ore., according to Eugene-based KVAL.

The protesters didn’t.

“We want to be completely peaceful, and we want to just represent the country that he fought and died for by having the American flag out here to keep the signs covered,” Joseph Hedberg, a National Guard veteran,: told KVAL.

The signs Hedberg referred to are the ones Westboro Baptist has made infamous by its protests at soldiers’ funerals throughout the country. The denounce the United States as a country steeped in sin, especially for its acceptance of homosexuality, and proclaim the deaths of soldiers to be a punishment from God.

This is how the church advertised its plan to protest at Patterson’s funeral.

And this is how the community responded:

Army Rangers march Sunday at the funeral service for Pfc. Cody James Patterson.

With a turnout that included comrades-in-arms Patterson served with in the Army Rangers, as well as members of the National Guard who were gathered by a Facebook page Hedberg made – “OSU Supports Cody Patterson.”

With a detachment of Patriot Guard Riders, planning to discourage Westboro Baptist protesters but told they would “keep it professional” if any showed up.

And a crowd lining the streets to bear witness to Patterson’s sacrifice.

Every soldier’s death is tragic, of course, but Patterson’s was unusual in the forces it got caught up in, well beyond the Kandahar Province attack that took his life.

Patterson was one of five U.S. soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan the week the government shutdown began, and his remains were among those held up by the Pentagon’s decision to suspend “death gratuity” payments to the families of American combat fatalities.

What this story has to do with honouring Justice for Trayvon Marshall I don’t know. Trayvon is a real hero ,this Ranger just didn’t want to serve anymore so he got himself killed to get out of work like all the Obamama haters. Peace love and Skittles ya’ll

Thank God for everyone’s support at these funerals. Westboro Baptist has to be stopped and they should have to drop the religious guise they hide behind. What God r god would approve of their actions? They are a cult.

They threatened but never showed at a Marine’s funeral in Gentry AR a few months ago either, although the Patriot Guard, the Flag Man and a whole lot of other supporters did. We heard rumors there were a few of them at a popular breakfast place about 7 miles away that morning, and that other patrons blocked them in so they couldn’t get out of the parking lot. Never heard any news about that though.

God Bless this young mans family and give them peace and strength. His sacrifice will not be forgotten. As for these so called Christians of the Westboro Baptist Church, they do not represent Christianity as it is meant to be according to Gods word. In fact they are the polar opposite. They do the work of Satan, not God. I am glad they were foiled in their attempts in this instance. I think their days are numbered and that they will quietly fade away. They are hate filled pagans who dare to call themselves followers of Christ.

Prayers and thoughts go out to Cody’s family and friends. Thanks to Cody and all our warriors who serve, sacrifice, and all too often give their all in the name of Freedom……….Blessed Be and RIP Cody and all of the others who have died defending our country. A true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him but because he loves what is behind him……